New Reports Detail Warnings Ahead of October 7; Netanyahu Slams 'Lies'

Two major American publications have revealed new details regarding warnings Israel received prior to the October 7 Hamas attacks. The New York Times reported on a conversation where UAE leader Mohammed bin Zayed allegedly informed CIA Director William Burns about a planned attack, mentioning a prior discussion with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. According to the report, bin Zayed stated Hamas was planning a large-scale assault, a warning Netanyahu did not mention in a security briefing on October 1, where he reportedly opposed targeting Hamas leaders.

Additionally, a comprehensive investigation by The Atlantic magazine revealed that Egyptian intelligence chief Abbas Kamel made a secret visit to Israel 11 days before the October 7 massacre. During his brief 67-minute stay at Ben Gurion Airport, Kamel reportedly warned that Hamas was preparing for a major offensive and urged Israel to implement economic concessions to prevent escalation. Egypt reportedly continued issuing warnings up to two days before the attack, a fact previously reported by Ynet.

Prime Minister Netanyahu vehemently criticized these reports, calling them "lies" that the public would not accept. His Likud party issued a statement asserting that despite denials from the UAE and proof from the Prime Minister's office that no such conversation occurred, "they continue to spread the lie." The party further accused the New York Times of publishing "blood libels" and Hamas propaganda, stating the public is "smart and has long stopped buying these lies."

In contrast, Gadi Eisenkot, chairman of the Yisrael Beiteinu party, stated that the "body of facts revealed recently, including over the weekend, about warnings from security officials and sources from various foreign countries leaves no room for doubt: Netanyahu led the State of Israel blindly, with arrogance and irresponsibility, to the greatest disaster in its history." Eisenkot added that attempts to evade responsibility and manipulate public opinion are collapsing in the face of reality, asserting that Netanyahu "clearly and sharply violated the public's trust and his role." He concluded that Netanyahu and his cabinet members who have not taken responsibility for October 7 are unfit to lead Israel's recovery and that citizens will elect a responsible government next month to establish a state commission of inquiry and prevent future disasters.